JOHN YUZYK A.L.C.M., L.L.C.M.

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JOHN YUZYK A.L.C.M., L.L.C.M. It is with deep sadness that the family of John Yuzyk announce his sudden passing on Tuesday morning, October 21, 2003 at the age of 90. Dad was born in Rhein, SK, on April 19, 1913, to Dmytro and Evdokia Yuzyk who emigrated from Western Ukraine in 1900. He completed high school in Saskatchewan and continued his post-graduate education in music studies earning his A.L.C.M. and L.L.C.M. Degrees from the London College of Music in 1940. Dad began his working career with the Saskatchewan Civil Service in the Department of Municipal Affairs staying in this position until enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served overseas in London, England, until 1945. Dad was involved in a number of businesses over the years that included: Spitfire Service Transfer, Wesco Leather Products, Associate Industries, etc. One of his business partners was Steve Juba, for whom he was Campaign Manager when Steve won the Civic Election as Mayor. He was a long-time member of the Winnipeg and Manitoba Real Estate Associations and enjoyed a successful career in real estate sales for over 35 years. Our father devoted over 65 years of his life to the promotion of the Ukrainian Culture and Veterans Affairs. He was an original executive member of what is known today as the Ukrainian Congress and Dominion Organizer of the Ukrainian Canadian Veterans Association. We are proud to say he was chosen by this organization to represent all Ukrainian Canadians on a multi-cultural delegation let by Walter Tucker, M.P., that met with Prime Minister MacKenzie King to ask for modifications to the Immigration Act so relatives of Canadians could come to Canada to live from Europe. He also toured Canada opening many Ukrainian branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and was recognized for this accomplishment by the Ukrainian legion branches in Winnipeg, Montreal, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Edmonton, Toronto and other smaller communities. He continued to be an active member of the Ukrainian community serving on the boards and executives of many Ukrainian organizations: National Executive of U.C.C., Ukrainian Canadian Veterans Branch 141, President of the Ukrainian Veterans Association 1971 - 1974, etc. In addition to this, Dad was a significant figure in the Ukrainian music scene, having started his career in opera as a Tenor/Robusta. In later years he concentrated on traditional Ukrainian folk music and recorded two albums in the 1960s that are still played regularly on ethnic radio stations across Canada. He was known as the "Ukrainian Mitch Miller." Throughout his lifetime, our father received numerous awards from many organizations and forms of government for his commitment to the Ukrainian Culture and to Ukrainian Veterans. He was humbled by this recognition. He worked tirelessly and proudly to help establish a Cenotaph for the Unknown Ukrainian Soldier in Dauphin, MB, where Committee members chose to etch our fathers Ukrainian translation of "O Canada" on the memorial with his name. Most recently he received a Multi-Cultural Award from the Ukrainian Professional Business Mens Association/Government of Manitoba, the Queen Elizabeth 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal from the Government of Manitoba and the Golden Achievement Award from the Ukrainian Musicians Association. As well, he was notified that his name had been chosen for a street name in Winnipeg by the Lord Selkirk-West Kildonan Community Committee. His last project a Ukrainian Language Handbook he wrote and published this fall. So as one can see - our father was a very creative, hard-working and passionate individual constantly giving of himself and expecting nothing in return. It is hard to sum up the life of a person who always seemed "larger than life" and who accomplished as much as our father did in the community in just a few short paragraphs. For us he was a phenomenal role-model and a very loving father who supported his children generously and without question. Did we mention he was a lot of fun too? The hilarious and good times together were unending. So our hearts are breaking with this loss. Because our father has continued to be described as a Folk Hero in the Ukrainian Community we think that is such a befitting way for him to be remembered. He will be sadly missed and forever loved by daughters, Mary Anne (Barry) Shore, and Barbara Evangeline (Alex) Yuzyk; grandchildren, Samantha and Jonathan MacKinnon (Vancouver, BC) sisters, Mary (Bill) Lewycky and Anne Kumpas (Langley, BC) godchild Marion (Mike) Dudar and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Anne Kotelko-Yuzyk; parents Dmytro and Evdokia Yuzyk and brother Bill Usick. Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Blakely, Dr. Kerr and Dr. Sutherland and the medical staff of GH5 at the Health Sciences Centre for their kindness and care. Dads funeral service and reception will be held on Sunday, October 26 at 3:00 p.m., at the Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., with Fr. Alexander Harkavyi presiding. Honorary Guards and Colour Party from the Ukrainian Legion Branch 141 will be present in Dads honour. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Anne Kotelko-Yuzyk Bursary, Faculty of Education, by contacting the Financial Aid and Awards Office at the University of Manitoba or to a charity of ones choice. VICHNAYA PAMYAT

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2003